About Us

Driving equality in news media 

WAN-IFRA Women in News partners with media organisations and individuals to close the gender gap in the news media. We do so in the belief that balanced newsrooms, boardrooms and content are key to building resilient news organisations. Our programmes empower people and organisations to work together in support of a healthier, lasting and inclusive news industry.

Our vision is a media industry in which women and men are equal. Equal in the way they are portrayed in news content and equal in their professional roles and treatment in the newsroom within stable media organisations. 

Our mission is  to increase women’s leadership and voices in the news. We do so by equipping women journalists and editors with the skills, strategies, and support networks to take on greater leadership positions within their organisations. In parallel, WIN partners with media organisations to identify industry-led solutions to create environments that embrace equality, and help navigate the digital transition, and in so doing, build toward greater financial and operational stability. We recognize that gender is a spectrum. We are inclusive of all journalists who identify as women, as well as gender fluid and non-binary people.

Our values

We champion equality
We strive for excellence
We collaborate to drive change
We are a supportive community
We empower people
We embrace our differences as our superpower

Where we work

WIN is currently working with more than 80 news organisations from 17 countries, in three regions, including Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe (WIN Africa); Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine (WIN Arab Region); and Myanmar, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia (WIN Southeast Asia).

WIN is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

WIN Programmes

To support our targets, WIN offers distinct, yet mutually supporting programmes in pursuit of our vision and mission.

WIN Leadership Accelerator

WIN Leadership Accelerator

An intensive, career and media leadership development programme for journalists and editors. The programme accepts up to 200 applicants, from 15 countries, annually.
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WIN Social Impact Reporting Initiative

WIN Social Impact Reporting Initiative

Increasing social impact reporting through small cash grants and individual assignments to bring stories from marginalised communities to mainstream media, connecting them to diverse sources of news.
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WIN Advisory

WIN Advisory

Bespoke, in-house training and coaching to change organisational culture and improve operational performance. Focus areas include managing sexual harassment, gender balance in content, and managing the transition from print to digital.
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WIN Insights

WIN Insights

Applying inclusive research, innovative tools, and lobbying and awareness raising to achieve greater regional and cultural diversity in the global conversation.
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WIN Editorial Leadership Award

WIN Editorial Leadership Award

Recognising the exemplary contribution of an Editor to her newsroom and, under her leadership, the contribution of her newspaper to society. One Laureate from Africa and the Arab Region are named, annually.
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WIN Future Leaders

WIN Future Leaders

Designed to give aspiring journalists a head start in the media industry and leverage networking and mentoring opportunities with WIN Alumnae (NOTE: programme on hold for 2021).
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For more information

Melanie Walker
Executive Director, Media Development, WAN-IFRA
melanie.walker@wan-ifra.org

WIN Africa

Jane Godia
Director, Africa, Women in News
jane.godia@womeninnews.org

WIN Southeast Asia

Khin Thandar Htay
Director, Southeast Asia, Women in News
khin.thandar@womeninnews.org